pic compiler micro c doubt

i'm using micro c compiler for pic16f877a. i don't know how to get input from a port i.e my statement in C is
variable=PORTB;
but it won't work.. what do i do??

well that code is correct for reading value from PORTB.
make sure you have made it as input port..

also may i see your program..to know better what you are doing..?

here's the prog. i'm trying to read a value from port B and control a motor depending on the value. PORTA is connected to an l293d.

void forward();
void right();
void left();
void stopped();

void forward(void)
{
PORTA=0B11010100;
}
void stopped(void)
{
PORTA=0x00;
}
void right(void)
{
PORTA=0b10010000;
}
void left(void)
{
PORTA=0b01000100;
}

void main()
{
TRISA=0X00;
TRISB=0B11111111;
CMCON=0x07;

while(1)
{
 getval=PORTB;
 Delay_500us();
 if(getval==0)
 {
 stopped();
 }
 else if(getval==1)
 {
 forward();
 }
 else if(getval==3)
 {
 right();
 }
 else
 {
 left();
 }
 }
 }

can you tell me the name of compiler you are using? are you sure you are not getting any compiler errors?

Micro C compiler. i'm getting an error in the line
getval=PORTB;

what is the error?
make sure you include the header file relevant to your controller.

tell me is it the same compiler?
http://www.programmersheaven.com/download/2670/download.aspx
or
http://www.ccsinfo.com/

http://www.mikroe.com/

i think i didn't declare the getval variable...

oops! even i did not see it lol!
define it as a

unsigned char getval;

why shouldn't i declare it as unsigned int... ??

because your port is 8-bit.. means data will be of 1 byte only.. so why to waste 2 bytes using INT?
always try to keep your variables as unsigned char or char..when you are dealing with 8-bit data... this is a kind of optimization tip. RAM usage will be less in this case..